WeWork and Ashton Kutcher Team Up for the Nashville Creator Awards

WeWork announces that Ashton Kutcher will be a part of the Nashville Creator Awards, taking place on September 13th at Marathon Music Works. He will be joined by his Sound Investments partner, Guy Oseary. The Maverick Nashville team -- made up of Chief Zaruk, Seth England, and Clarence Spalding -- has also joined on in support of this exciting event. The night will also include a live performance by multi-platinum selling rapper and producer, G-Eazy.

Having had over a decade of success in investing in the startup world with companies such as Airbnb, Uber, and Spotify, Kutcher and Oseary are natural partners for WeWork's Nashville Creator Awards. The Creator Awards is a major global initiative established in 2017 by WeWork to recognize and reward the creators of the world - across all industries and all stages of growth - by committing funding to entrepreneurs, small businesses, growing companies, nonprofits, performing artists, and more.

"I love a competition that supports entrepreneurs, startups, non-profits, and musicians who want to change the world and make it better. I also love Nashville and am thrilled to play a part in honoring talented and impactful creators in this community." - Ashton Kutcher

"WeWork is one of my favorite companies in the world. From the moment I set foot in my first WeWork I was impressed and inspired by the community and support system that they are building within the workplace. Initiatives like the Creator Awards celebrate that community and I'm thrilled to be a part of it." - Guy Oseary

Last year, G-Eazy released his platinum selling studio album, The Beautiful & Damned. The album's lead track, "No Limit," reached #1 on both Urban and Rhythm radio and is RIAA Certified 3x Platinum. His second single from the project "Him & I," which is also RIAA Certified Platinum, peaked at #1 on both Pop and Rhythm radio. The Bay Area rapper is currently on his second annual 32-city Endless Summer Tour with Lil Uzi Vert. In 2017, G-Eazy was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 and further expanded his entrepreneurial prowess, announcing his partnership and Co?Creative Director role of Stillhouse Spirits Co., marking the rapper's first spirits venture.

Superstar duo, Florida Georgia Line - currently leading the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the 39th week with their record-breaking collaboration, "Meant to Be" with Bebe Rexha - will be featured judges at the Nashville Creator Awards as well. As Billboard's first-ever "Trailblazer Award" recipients, Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley have successfully launched Old Camp Peach Pecan Whiskey, as well as FGL HOUSE, meet + greet, Tree Vibez Music, and Tribe Kelley, making them a great fit to round out the judging panel.

Also featured as a judge is Dia Simms who has worked her way up to be President of Combs Enterprises after Sean "Diddy" Combs initially recruited her to be his assistant in 2005. Simms oversees business activities across numerous teams at Combs Enterprises including Combs Wine & Spirits, Blue Flame Agency, AQUAhyrdrate, Bad Boy Entertainment, Sean John, Revolt Media, and Capital Prep Harlem. In 2017 Dia was listed as a powerful executive on Billboard's annual Women in Music list as well as featured on the Ebony Power 100 list.

Finalists are chosen from a pool of thousands of applicants from across the eastern United States, Puerto Rico, and Ontario. At the event they will pitch their idea, business model, and/ or organization before a live audience, competing for funding, with prizes ranging from $18,000 to $360,000.

"We are happy to see the people of this region being recognized and celebrated for their entrepreneurial minds." - Clarence Spaulding, Maverick Nashville

"Nashville is growing very fast. Country music is at the heart of this city, but I also believe it can one day be a center for business innovation, which is why I'm very excited to be supporting the startup community here at this event." - Seth England, Maverick Nashville

Since March 2017, WeWork has hosted more than 27,000 attendees and given away millions of dollars to nearly 200 winners across 11 Creator Awards Regional Semi-Final events around the globe, plus one Global Finals event in New York City in January 2018.

The event will be a celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity, with attendees having the opportunity to shop local member and non-member products at the pop-up market and make connections at the job fair in partnership with Jobbio. In addition to the pitching, the second half of the evening will feature the announcement of the winners and live musical performances, followed by a celebration into the night. Guests can also swing by the Squarespace Studio to get 1:1 website consultations or sip on Red Bull cocktails while enjoying the Red Bull Creator Gallery featuring selected works by influential Nashville photographer, Giles Clement.

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